It appears likely that Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Joe Ross (back) will land on the injured list after leaving his start on Monday against the Miami Marlins after just one inning due to lower-back tightness. After being looked at by doctors, it was determined that the 30-year-old veteran is dealing with a lower-back strain, which will almost certainly keep him out for at least a couple weeks. Ross entered his start on Monday with a 2-4 record, 4.61 ERA (3.88 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 15 walks and 35 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched over his eight starts. Fantasy managers in shallower mixed leagues shouldn't feel compelled to hang onto Ross now that he's hurt. It remains to be seen who will Milwaukee will use to take Ross' spot in the rotation, but left-hander Aaron Ashby could be an option.

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Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz (foot) is going for X-rays on his right foot after he was hit by a pitch early in Monday's game against the Miami Marlins. The good news is that Ortiz was able to stay in the 3-2 extra-inning loss in Miami, going 0-for-1 with two walks and a strikeout to drop his season average to .290 and his OPS to .931. We'll have a better idea of how much time the 25-year-old might have to miss once we get the results of his X-rays. The former fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 out of New Mexico State is off to a great start this year with a .292/.387/.538 slash line with a .925 OPS, five home runs, 15 RBI and 16 runs scored in 106 at-bats. If Ortiz is forced to miss extended time, both Andruw Monasterio and Owen Miller could see playing time at the hot corner for the Brew Crew.

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Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (hamstring), who was not activated from the injured list ahead of Monday's series opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels, should re-enter Houston's lineup "soon." After finishing his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday, McCormick went through pregame workouts on Monday and should be reinstated from the IL sometime this week. The 29-year-old outfielder broke out with 22 home runs and 19 stolen bases a year ago, but he was slashing a feeble .236/.325/.278 with three extra-base hits, eight RBI, and two steals over 83 plate appearances (21 games) before going down with discomfort in his right hamstring. Top prospect Joey Loperfido is batting an encouraging .333 (13-for-39) with one homer, five RBI, and one pilfer through 13 outings with the Astros, but he'll be in line to lose playing time when McCormick returns.

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Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique, elbow) has ligament damage in his right elbow, and surgery has become a real possibility. Whitlock was originally expected to return to Boston's rotation on Monday after being sidelined by a strained left oblique, but he experienced soreness in his elbow following last week's minor-league rehab appearance and now appears to be staring at a potentially season-ending setback. It would be a big blow to the Red Sox' pitching staff after the 27-year-old right-hander put together a promising 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and seven walks across 18 1/3 innings (four starts) in 2024. Whitlock will be evaluated by a doctor in Alabama for a second opinion later this week. In the meantime, righty Cooper Criswell looks set to continue handling a rotation spot going forward.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller (shoulder) will pitch in another simulated game on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Miller threw two simulated innings last Wednesday, and the hope is that a brief minor-league rehab assignment is the next step following Tuesday's session. The 25-year-old flame-throwing right-hander is working his way back from inflammation in his right shoulder, and despite giving up seven runs over 11 2/3 innings before the injury this season, his 18:6 K:BB and elite strikeout upside make him a must-stash fantasy asset with a late-May or early-June return being the expectation. In Miller's absence, former top prospect Gavin Stone is worth streaming in all leagues with a respectable 3.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 29 punchouts with four wins through 44 innings (eight starts).

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Los Angeles Dodgers closer Evan Phillips (hamstring) will need to make either two or three appearances during a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list. There was some optimism that Phillips could rejoin LA's bullpen sometime this weekend, but he won't be ready to return from a strained right hamstring for about another week in all likelihood. In 14 appearances before hitting the shelf, the 29-year-old right-hander allowed a lone run while striking out 17, walking four, and converting each of his eight save chances over 13 2/3 innings of work as the Dodgers' closer. Veteran Daniel Hudson remains the best bet for fantasy managers trying to find some saves in Phillips' absence, registering a 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and a sublime 20:1 K:BB with two saves over 19 innings, but he hasn't had very many save opportunities.

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Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (lower leg) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list to start Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Boston Red Sox. After throwing three simulated innings in a bullpen session ahead of Friday's series opener against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, Pepiot won't need a minor-league rehab assignment and is ready to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-riddled rotation following his recovery from a lower left leg contusion. In seven starts this season, the 26-year-old upstart right-hander owns an outstanding 3.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 41:11 K:BB through 36 2/3 innings as the Rays' ace. However, fantasy managers might want to take a wait-and-see approach before activating Pepiot in a pretty tough spot against Boston's hard-hitting lineup.

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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (hamstring) started a running progression ahead of Monday's series opener against the Miami Marlins, and he said he felt good and that it was "a good start." Barring any setbacks, Hoskins should resume hitting by the end of the week as he ramps up baseball activities during his recovery from a strained right hamstring. The 31-year-old slugger was enjoying a strong comeback campaign after missing all of last season due to a torn ACL, slashing .233/.340/.474 with nine home runs, five doubles, and 27 RBI over 133 at-bats, and he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues with a late-May or early-June return to the Brewers in the cards. With five homers and five stolen bases through 95 ABs, Jake Bauers is worth a look as Milwaukee's primary first baseman for some short-term pop and speed.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson (hip) left Monday's start against the division-rival Kansas City Royals during the third inning after taking a 101.8 mph line drive from Michael Massey off his right hip. It's worth noting that Olson attempted to stay in the game, but Beau Brieske ultimately relieved him after the club opted to pull him from the contest. Olson allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings before departing. The Tigers should provide an official diagnosis sometime following Monday's game, and the 24-year-old right-hander should be viewed as day-to-day until then. Although Olson is winless through nine starts this year, he holds an impressive 2.16 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 43:16 K:BB over 50 frames. His next start tentatively lines up for Saturday, when Detroit hosts the Toronto Blue Jays.

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The Chicago Cubs activated shortstop Dansby Swanson (knee) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and optioned rookie outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. The team also optioned second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni to Iowa. The Cubs had the day off on Monday, but Swanson will return for Tuesday's series opener against the Atlanta Braves. Swanson will return to everyday duties at shortstop for the Cubs after missing some time with a knee injury. His fantasy managers will be hoping that he can pick it up at the plate now that he's healthy, as he was hitting just .209/.285/.341 with four home runs, 12 RBI, four stolen bases and 20 runs scored in 129 at-bats before landing on the injured list.

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The Chicago Cubs optioned rookie outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to Triple-A Iowa on Monday to make room for the return of shortstop Dansby Swanson (knee) from the 10-day injured list. Crow-Armstrong will head back to the farm after slashing .236/.295/.364 with a homer, two doubles, one triple, nine RBI, five stolen bases and four runs scored in 23 games played in his second taste of big-league pitching following his 13-game debut in 2023. It makes sense for the Cubs to send the 22-year-old back to the minors so that he can continue his development and get everyday at-bats. Crow-Armstrong is a phenomenal defender in center field, and his speed should continue to play in fantasy whenever he makes his return to Chicago.

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The Chicago White Sox have an opening in their starting rotation after they designated right-hander Brad Keller for assignment, but manager Pedro Grifol didn't sound like he was jumping at the chance to give right-hander Michael Soroka another shot in the rotation. "Soroka had a good [relief] appearance, but I don't know if he's going to be the guy we want to do that. "We'll make that move when we have to, which would be Wednesday-Thursday," Grifol said. The 26-year-old Soroka was recently demoted to the bullpen, but he looked much better in a long-relief role on Saturday, tossing four scoreless innings while striking out seven. However, he did walk four and has surrendered 33 runs (31 earned) on 42 hits (10 home runs) while walking 24 and striking out 24 in 43 2/3 innings in his nine starts. We don't blame the White Sox for being hesitant to go back to Soroka as a starter.

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The Cleveland Guardians called up outfield prospect Johnathan Rodriguez from Triple-A Columbus on Monday and designated outfielder Ramon Laureano for assignment in a corresponding move. It is Rodriguez's first major-league call-up and he was available off the bench for Monday's contest against the visiting New York Mets. The 24-year-old is listed as Cleveland's No. 16 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and gets the call to the majors after slashing .276/.389/.449 with an .838 OPS, seven home runs, six doubles, 28 RBI, four stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 185 plate appearances over 43 games for Columbus. The Puerto Rican was taken in the third round in 2017 out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy, and he could see some at-bats for the Guardians until Steven Kwan (hamstring) returns from the injured list.

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The Washington Nationals have officially sent right-handed pitching prospect Cade Cavalli (elbow) on a minor-league rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League Nationals, according to the team's transaction log. Cavalli is trying to return after having Tommy John surgery, and his first rehab start in the Rookie League will be his first game action since the 2022 season. Given the nature of the 25-year-old's rehab and his long layoff, he's likely to spend all 30 days on his rehab assignment before the Nationals decide what to do with him. The team's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, allowed seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in his first big-league start in 2022 but hasn't been back to the big leagues since because of his elbow injury. Cavalli should return to the majors at some point in 2024, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues may want to temper expectations.

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Washington Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas (knee) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday, and if all goes well, he'll play again on Wednesday. The team will then decide if Thomas is ready to come off the injured list or if he needs more time on his rehab assignment. If the Nationals are happy with what they see from the 28-year-old on Tuesday and Wednesday, he could return to the big-league lineup on Friday for the series opener against the Seattle Mariners. Thomas has been out almost a month with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, but he should be rostered in all fantasy formats despite going 16-for-87 (.184) before his injury. He already has 11 stolen bases in 22 games in 2024 after being a 20-20 man in 2023.

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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Joe Ross (back) left his start after just 15 pitches in the first inning on Monday against the Miami Marlins with back tightness. Manager Pat Murphy said in the dugout that Ross was dealing with some back tightness before the game but felt good enough to continue after warming up. However, Ross' back tightness returned in the first inning. In his lone inning of work, Ross gave up a hit and allowed a walk to the Marlins in the bottom of the first inning. It's unclear exactly how serious the 30-year-old's back injury is, and we probably won't know more until Tuesday. But if you have been using Ross in deeper fantasy leagues, you may want to start preparing right now just in case he has to go on the injured list. Entering Monday's game, Ross was 2-4 with a 4.61 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 35 K's in 41 innings over his eight starts.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Zach Eflin (back) said his back issue popped up near the end of his last start and feels similar to last year, when he missed around two weeks with a similar back injury. Manager Kevin Cash said it was an unfortunate injury but also considers it similar to last year, although the skipper did say he thought it could be two to four weeks this year. The Rays put the 30-year-old on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a lower-back injury. Eflin had back issues toward the end of last year as well, so it's definitely something to be concerned about for fantasy managers that have him rostered. The former 33rd overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2012 won 16 games in his first year in Tampa in 2023 and had a career-best 3.50 ERA. Eflin deserves to be stashed in fantasy formats after starting 2024 with a 3-4 record, 4.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, four walks and 44 K's in 59 innings.

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New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow), who played catch on Monday, is scheduled to face live hitters on Tuesday for the first time in his rehab process. Cole is finally moving to facing live hitters after throwing off a mound for the last couple of weeks as he tries to return from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. The 33-year-old hasn't pitched in a game since early in spring training in March and still has plenty of boxes to check off, but fantasy managers may finally be starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The reigning American League Cy Young winner will eventually have to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but if he doesn't suffer any setbacks along the way, he could make his 2024 debut before the All-Star break in the middle of July.

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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette put on a show during Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The young infielder went 4-for-4 with three doubles in the win over Chicago. He was crushing the ball with most of hits being over 100 mph. To be fair, the White Sox pitching staff shouldn't be considered elite. Regardless, it was a nice showing from Bichette and hopefully more to come.

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New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) was unable to do his scheduled bullpen session on Sunday. The right-hander is dealing with tightness in his triceps, so the team decided to skip the bullpen session. Senga is working his way back from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him all season. The Mets haven't given a solid timetable for when Senga is going to make it back to the mound, but they are hoping he'll get his next bullpen in by the end of the week, signaling that it isn't a serious setback. Fantasy managers must stay patient and keep the Japanese hurler stashed in all formats.

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